A rehabilitation measure differs considerably from a cure, which was already removed from the social law in 2000, and is nowadays only used preventively. Rehabilitation in 1,200 rehabilitation clinics nationwide offers patients the opportunity to get well faster. However, the patient must actively contribute to this. They are prescribed on an outpatient, inpatient or day-care basis and must be applied for at the German Pension Insurance. This applies to employees and civil servants; pensioners apply for them at their health insurance company. There is a special form of rehab, which is the follow-up treatment, which has to start at the latest 14 days after treatment in the hospital or after an outpatient operation. These account for 40 percent of all rehabs. The social service in the hospital makes the application for this. In other cases, the affected person must take care of his or her own rehabilitation. In this case, however, the attending physician can help, because he knows all the reasons for a need for rehabilitation. Various advice centers and the Internet can also help. In addition, the patient has to check exactly the right offers, which require the professional competence of the respective rehabilitation institution. In principle, the patient who has exhausted all outpatient measures is entitled to a rehabilitation measure. In the case of rejected applications, an objection within one month of rejection helps. Here too, the doctor who is currently treating can help by invalidating the arguments for rejection. Under no circumstances should the applicant withdraw the objection if the health insurance company wants to persuade him to do so over the telephone. As a last resort, social court action may also help. If the rehabilitation is approved, the measure must be well prepared. Postponement of rehab appointments by a few days is possible in principle, but it is more difficult to enforce changeover requests. If one does not agree with the assigned desired clinic, only professional arguments count. The affected person is only entitled to medically suitable rehabilitation facilities; if there are additional costs, the health insurance company usually pays. In rehab, the treatment of the illness is then carried out according to personal needs. Aftercare is also decisive, as it is also jointly responsible for the success. Aftercare programs are offered by the German Pension Insurance, among others, which provides information on the Internet under the keyword „Rehab“ (www.deutsche-rentenversicherung.de). Rehab measures and subsequent aftercare include therapeutic measures, methods of stress management, nutritional advice and training in this area, physical activity (physiotherapy, exercise, and sports therapy) and (rehabilitation) sports, and much more that is beneficial to health.
Source: Apotheken-Umschau